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East Texas Drowning Victim Identified

GLADEWATER — Officials have identified a Gladewater man who drowned in Prairie Creek while taking a swim during a fishing outing with his son. Officials said the drowning occurred Saturday evening near Prairie Creek Bridge on Texas 135. Gregg County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson identified the victim as Timothy Matthew Carson, 36. He said the two decided to take a swim while fishing on the creek Saturday evening. The father went under and failed to surface. His body was found about 8:15 p.m., and an inquest was performed about 9:45. Gregg County Game Warden Todd Long said that while the investigation was continuing, there was no sign of foul play in the man’s death. “It appears to be an accident, no suspicious activity,” Long said.

The creek runs below Texas 135 just north of Crews Road between Gladewater and Kilgore. It pools into a makeshift swimming hole just west of Texas 135. Long said the only witness to the death was the victim’s son. Long and a Gregg County sheriff’s deputy were among those who responded to the call, said Gregg County Lt. Kirk Haddix.